Letting the Holy Spirit in Me Give Me Words to Speak
Scripture Passage: Matthew 9:14-17 (NASB)
16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be as wary as serpents, and as innocent as doves. 17 But be on guard against people, for they will hand you over to the courts and flog you in their synagogues; 18 and you will even be brought before governors and kings on My account, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who are speaking, but it is the Spirit of your Father who is speaking in you.
21 “Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 And you will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.
23 “But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.
SUMMARY
Talking to His disciples, Jesus warns they will be like sheep amongst the wolves that they will constantly be persecuted while preaching the gospel. He then assures them not to worry when they get handed over to the authority as the Holy Spirit will guide them what to say. He says that the disciples will be hated and persecuted for His name sake, and the one who has endured to the end will be saved.
REFLECTION
There’s warning coming from Jesus, but also an assurance that comes with His promise in today’s passage. Jesus’ disciples are compared to being the sheep in the midst of wolves. We know that sheep without the protection from a shepherd are very vulnerable, especially if left in the midst of vicious wolves. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Unless we are vigilant, we will fall into the hands of our enemy who is always plotting to destroy us in who we are in God.
However, the passage also gives us so much hope through the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus says disciples will know what to say to the authority when they get handed over to kings and governors on His account as the Spirit of the Father will speak through them. It is the promise of the Holy Spirit to the disciples, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, they later endured grueling persecutions until the end.
APPLICATION
I should let the wisdom of the Holy Spirit guide my speech and communication. Yet, how many times in a day, I let my emotions and shortcomings take control of my speech rather than deeply pondering in my thoughts about what to say and do. I know in today’s context, Jesus is referring to a situation in which disciples will know what to say to the officials when being persecuted in His name. But I also believe that if the Holy Spirit is dwelling in me, then I should be fully immersed in His presence and my speech and actions should be edifying. Lately I noticed myself being very irritated and bothered with my husband’s behavior that I was communicating back to him in mean ways. I may not necessarily be following the main moral from this passage, but I feel like God is telling me that let the Holy Spirit control my lips, not myself and my selfish ego.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for letting me reflect on my behavior through the Word. I am weak, stupid, vulnerable sheep in the midst of wolves who are trying to devour me in every little opportunity they see. Unless I rely on the strength of the Holy Spirit to guide me, I will soon fall into the enemy’s trap. Lately, my sin was with the way I was treating people around me. If they didn’t live up to my expectation, I was treating them with disrespect. My words to them weren't edifying, but demeaning the soul. Lord, my prayer is that you will set a guard over my lips, and help me know what to say. Don’t let my lips be a weapon, but rather a healing instrument to others.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
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